Grafting-tool



K. MOLENNAN.

GRAFTING TUQL. No. 285,910. Patented Oct. '2, 1888.

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GRAFTlNG-TOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,910, dated OctoberQ, 1883.

Application filed May 1883. (Model.)

To all whoml t may concern:

Be it known that I, KENNETH MeLnNNAN,

of Berkeley, county of Alameda, State of Galiing the edges of its endscurved fornia, have invented an Improved Grafting- Tool; and I herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to certain improve` ments in that class of graftingimplements or tools in which the cutting-blades are adapted to beactuated by a hand implement; and it consists in a peculiar angularknife ttcd into one of the jaws of the implement in an opposing block inthe other jaw, against which said knife is adapted to operate, and in ameans for adjusting and limiting the n1ovenient ofthe knife against saidblock, all of whichl I shall hereinafter fully explain.

The object of my invention is to prepare Vthe scions and stocks of youngtrees or vines for grafting by means of a peculiar counterpart cut ineach, whereby the two may be fitted together with an advantageous unionby close and perfect joint. Union of the stock and scion has beenheretofore accomplished by a joint made by toolssimilar in operation tothe one hereinafter described, but with knives of such shape as not tobe able to make a eut in each providing for so advantageous and per-Afecta connection as that which I am enabled to form with my knife.

Figure l is a perspective view of my grafting-tool. Fig. 2 is a view ofthe knife D havas in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of the knife D.Fig. fl is a view showing the knife Dwith eutting-edge of ends dstraight, and block E with plane surface. Fig. 5 is a view showing thejaws A and B placed at an angle. Fig. `6 is a view of a' portion of astock, showing the form of cut made. Fig. 7 is a view showing the lowergrafting-cut.

A B are the handles, pivoted together at a, and having jaws A B',respectively.

C is a spring between the handles, in usual form, to accomplish theautomatic separation of the jaws after the pressure is released.

In the jaw B is formed a slot, a', in which the knife D is secured byakey, m. In the other jaw is fitted, by dovetailing or mortise and tenon,the opposing block E. This is preferably made of some hard wood. The

knife D is made of a steel plate, having its ends l bent in oppositedirections7 but parallel with each other, and forming the same an'- glewith the body of the plate. This angle should preferably be an acute onerather than a right or obtuse angle, in order to make the longestpossible cut in the shortest space, J[hat the impinging surfaces of thestock and scion may be the greatest. rlhe base of the knife is thickenough to provide for strength, and its cutting-edge is ground down totherequired sharpness. f l

In Fig. l the opposing block E has a coucave groove, e, in its face, andin order to conform the knife thereto I curve the edges of the ends d,as shown both in Figs. l and 2; but

in Fig. L the block E has a plane surface and` the ends d of theknifeare straight.

The implement is particularly designed for outside use, being portableand adapted to readily take hold of the stock.

In using the tool the stock or the scion, as the case may be, is fittedupon the blockE in such position that the main edge of the knife shallstrike along the longitudinal center of the wood. The cut made is acounterpart at each end, and is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. lt will be seenthat the acute angle of the end cuts gives a great impinging surface,while the whole eut is confined to the length of the body of the knife.The scions are of course previously prepared and carried bythe operator.

The stocks are cut as he goes along, and the scions are fitted thereto.

It will be observed that the joint or union is close and perfect, beinga dovet-ailing into one another, affording the greatest amount ofimpingi ng surface, both ofbark and wood, and each part furnishingsupport to the other.

With an experienced operator who can readily judge of sizes, the stocksmay be rapidly selected upon which to iit a certain size of scion,whereby formed. j

The grooved-face block and the knife with the curved ends areparticularly adapted for young trees and forstraight stocks of allkinds, as these will lie within the groove of the block'. When thisblock can bc used, the tool is much handier, as the operator can morereadily fit it to the stock, and the grooved bed forms a the mostperfect union may be` IOO e Y 2:85AM() guide forthe stock and holds itmore firmly against the pressure of the knife; but for angle with thehandles, as shown in Fig. 5,

whereby these latter may incline upwardly, giving the knife anopportunity to operate on the stock as close to the ground as maybenecessary without having to place the hand directly on the ground.

By removing the key m, the knife may be taken out from the jaw andanother of different size may be inserted. The block E may likewise beremoved for -the substitution of' another. v.

In order to limit the movement of the knife against the block, for thepurpose of preserving said block and keeping the edge'upon the knife, I,have a set-screw, F, passing through one of the jaws andimpingingagainst the other. This is to be set up just far enough 4topermit the knife to touch the block.

It may be well to explain that this implement is intended for use inpreparing nursery stock alone, and not for grafting in large limbs ofold trees.

I am aware that grafting implements having an action similarjto shearshave been provided with knives or blades for making the tongue, saddle,whip, and splice graft; but I am not aware that any knife has beenconstructed to make the cut I have illustrated, and for which I claimadvantages not possessed by the others. I do not therefore claim, broadly, such an implement provided with cuttingknives to form the graft, butsimply my own shape of knife'and the novel details of construction Ihave herein set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is Y 1. In a grafting implement or tool, aknife 45 or cutter having its endsturnedin opposite directions, andforming with the body of the knife the same angle, substantially asherein described.

2. In a grafting implement orftool, a knife 5o or cutter having its endsturned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each other, andforming, with the body of the knife, acute angles, whereby a greaterimpinging surface within the length of the cut may be obtained, 55substantially as herein described.

8. In a grafting implement or tool, the knife y'or cutter D, havingtsends (l turned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each otherand forming acute angles with the body ofthe 6o knife, in combinationwith the opposing block E, substantially as herein described.

4. In a grafting implement or tool, the knife or cutter D, having itsends turned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each other, and65 forming acute angles with the body of the knife, said ends having aconvex cutting-edge, in combination with the opposing block Il, having aconcave groove, e, corresponding to the convex edges of the ends d ofthe knife, 7o-

substantially as and for the/purpose herein described. y

5. In a grafting implement or tool, the combination of the pivotedhandles A B, having .jaws A B', with the knife or cutter D in olie 75jaw, said knife having its ends d turned in opposite directions, formingwith the body of `the knife acute angles, an'd lying parallel witheachother, and the opposing block E in the other jaw, substantially asherein described. So

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

KENNETH llIcLENNAN.

lVitnesses:

C. S. MERRILL, WM. F. BOOTH.

